Your
GPA (grade point average) is a general indicator of your academic performance. GPA's can range from 0.00 to 4.00. A GPA is based on two factors:
- The grade you receive in a course. Each letter grade has a corresponding numerical value called quality points: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0
- The number of semester hours of the course (1, 2, 3, 4, etc)
How to Calculate Your GPA
- Step 1 Multiply the value of your grade by the number of semester hours the course is worth. This gives you the Quality Points earned for the course.
- Step 2 Add the Quality Points for all your courses.
- Step 3 Divide the total number of Quality Points by the total number of semester hours you attempted.
One Semester Example
|
Grade |
Semester Hours |
Quality Points |
|
B |
3 |
9 |
|
C |
3 |
6 |
|
B |
3 |
9 |
|
A |
2 |
8 |
|
C |
4 |
8 |
|
Total |
15 |
40 |
| 40 Divided by |
15 = |
2.66 GPA |
What your GPA Means The better your grades are, the higher your GPA.
4.0 = all A's
3.0 = a B average
2.0 = a C average
1.0 = a D average
0.0 = all F's
Frequently your GPA is between two of these numbers. For example, a 3.67 GPA means you are closed to an A average but have a few other grades besides A's. A 1.88 GPA tells you that you are close to a C average but that your D's and F's outweigh any higher grades you may have made.
A GPA, then, tells you about your academic standing at UAB. The Registrar's Office calculates your GPA at the end of every term. You can find it at the bottom of your transcript (grade report).
Why Your GPA Is Important
- UAB requires a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate (your major may have stricter requirements than this).
- There are some majors that require GPA's higher than a 2.0 before you even ENTER that major.
- Check with your advisor about details for your major!